TWO eight-year-old girls worked hard for three years to earn the highest award in their Beaver colony.

Hayley McGlade and Charlotte Whitfield, who both live in Shildon and go to Shildon County Primary School, moved up to Cubs this week with their Dam Builder badges.

They both joined the Beavers, the youngest group in the Scouting movement, when they were five and had to collect four other badges to qualify for the top prize.

They took part in a wide range of activities, made models, toured police and fire stations and went to Beaver camp.

Before they moved up to join the 1st Shildon (St John's) Cubs they were presented with their badges by the chairman of Shildon Town Council, Barry Powton.